BACOLOD CITY - Eight suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) at Sitio Agit, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental Tuesday, March 23.
Maj. Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said the troops responded to a report on the alleged presence of unidentified armed men in the area, when they engaged in a firefight with about 40 individuals believed to be combined forces of the SDG platoon and SYG platoon of Central Negros 1, Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR – NCBS) around 12:55 p.m.
Pancito said the firefight lasted for about three hours, prompting some residents to evacuate for their safety. However, Pancito has not yet received the report on the number of evacuees.
Pancito said no injuries were reported on the government side, while the Army has yet to identify the rebel casualties.
Military recovered from the encounter site 11 high-powered firearms, six M16 rifles, two M14 rifles, one M60, one KG9, two improvised explosive device (IED), IED wire, six M14 magazine with ammunition, two backpacks, and documents with high intelligence value.
Pancito said they have deployed additional forces on the ground to conduct clearing and pursuit operations, and to be utilized as blocking forces.
“We cannot guard every inch of the territory of Negros island, but with these gaps, this is a big help from the people for us to specifically locate the armed men,” he added.